NDLEA Nabs Infamous Drug Lord, 3 Others Smuggling Cocaine To UK Hidden In Starch Sachets

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended notorious drug trafficker Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who was previously convicted in 2023 for dealing 30.10kg of methamphetamine.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Basil was arrested alongside three cargo agents following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.50 kilograms, hidden in factory-sealed cold-water starch sachets destined for the United Kingdom at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) export shed in Ikeja, Lagos.

The statement detailed, “Three cargo agents—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—who attempted to export the consignment to the UK were arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Subsequent investigations identified 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind. He was apprehended on Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja while on a date with his girlfriend.”

Babafemi noted that NDLEA records show Basil had previously been arrested in May 2023 in connection with a 30.10kg methamphetamine seizure concealed in powdered custard containers, also destined for London via Lagos airport. Basil was convicted by the Federal High Court under case number FHC/L/337C/2023 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of ₦7 million, along with one month of community service, effective December 4, 2023. After paying the fine, he returned to trafficking.

In a separate operation on Monday, December 22, NDLEA operatives recovered and destroyed tons of skunk cannabis from wooden warehouses in Ara Forest, Ara-Ekiti, seizing 638 kilograms of the substance.

“Additionally, 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, totaling 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted along Igara-Auchi road in Edo State,” Babafemi said.

On Sunday, December 21, a raid in Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, Cross River State, resulted in the arrest of three suspects—Freedom Jonah Akpama (27, 671kg), David Itam David (30, 89kg), and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26, 148kg)—and the seizure of significant quantities of skunk cannabis.

In another operation, 42-year-old Joy Oisamaye was arrested along the Abaji-Abuja expressway on December 22 with 38kg of skunk en route from Otua, Owan East LGA, Edo State.

In Gombe State, 65-year-old driver Sada’u Mohammed was apprehended while transporting 300 ampoules of pentazocine, 27,900 tramadol pills, and other opioids along the Gombe-Biu highway.

The agency also confirmed the arrest of 47-year-old businessman Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), wanted over the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud cannabis, weighing 26kg, at Tincan Seaport, Lagos, on December 10. A follow-up operation on December 19 led to his capture in Apapa.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives for their dedication and urged continued vigilance throughout the festive season and beyond, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the highest professional standards in all drug control operations.